TabledFables TabledFables

In this episode, we discuss how Sleeping Beauty relates to ancient texts. We delve into a number of versions including ones where Sleeping Beauty is impregnated while she is sleeping and we talk about the moral of the story or lack thereof. Special thanks to Graham Anderson for helping us with the analysis.

In this episode we discuss how Jack's conquest of the giant relates to 19th century English colonialism with the help of scholar Brian Szumsky. We also discuss key features in the tale and question whether the giant is an alter ego of Jack or if we should take pity on the giant.

In this episode we talk about a lesser known tale, The Armless Maiden. How does she get her arms chopped off you ask? Maybe her dad does it to save himself from the devil or maybe it's punishment after she's accused of breaking a milk jug. Admittedly the punishment doesn't fit the crime. And don't worry, the maiden gets her arms back in the end. To find out how, have a listen to the show.

Award-winning writer Angela Slatter has a retelling of The Armless Maiden in her 2010 collection, The Girl with No Hands & Other Tales. In her version, readers get a deeper glimpse into the mind of the devil who torments the girl in some unique ways.

TF chatted with Slatter via Skype to find out what motivates her to retell fairy tales and how she readapts them for modern readers.

In this episode we explore beast bridegroom tales and other stories where pigs marry peasants and men fall for snakes. It's a mad fairy tale world indeed!

A round-up of news from the fairy tale world.